In an effort to provide more walking and biking routes that allow for more social distance, the city’s Mobility Team has been developing a shared streets plan based on international best practices and customized to Somerville’s public health needs. By the end of May, the first shared route will be set up and more will follow citywide over the summer. For Shared Streets, low-volume or residential side-streets are opened up to pedestrians, cyclists, and other users while still allowing vehicles but limiting those vehicles to abutters, first responders, and delivery. Shared Streets provide new options for residents to safely make essential trips for food, healthcare, or other needs, while also offering the wellness benefit of new routes outdoors. Signage and flexible barriers alert all users to the shared use to help keep everyone safe. Somerville’s program will use temporary materials that can be modified based on our experience with the pilot. More info to come.

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To sign up for free COVID-19 testing for Somerville residents, call 617-665-2928, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You do not need to have symptoms or a doctor’s referral.

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Join in for upcoming virtual town hall meetings with Mayor Curtatone and city staff where you can learn about local COVID-19 impacts and the city’s response. You can either participate live via Zoom or by calling in by phone, or submit questions in advance and watch live on City Cable TV (channels 13 and 613 on RCN, channel 22 on Comcast). Meetings will also be recorded and rebroadcast later on the City YouTube Channel and City Cable TV. For more information on how to participate, visit somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall. Here are the upcoming meetings: Parents Town Hall: Thursday, May 21, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Youth Town Hall: date to be announced (for teenagers and high school students)

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s all-knowing political pundits, Mr. Feargal O’Toole. A great guy, we wish him the very best on this his birthday. Happy birthday to an old friend to everyone here in Somerville from East to Winter Hill and beyond, Vinny (Clue) Vicente. Happy birthday to local Winter Hill resident Brian Roche. We hope he enjoys his day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Helen Martino Mccallum, Karen Keenan McCann, Rick Driscoll, Gene Duggan, Deirdre Grace, Iona O’Brien, Danielle Scrima and Danny McLaughlin a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Pauline M. D’Aurora. Pauline was the Winter Hill Bank Executive Vice President/Chief Lending Officer and former Chamber of Commerce Treasurer. She lost her battle with COVID19 on Saturday night. Winter Hill Bank President Sandra McGoldrick posted a thoughtful letter about Pauline online: https://somervillechamber.org/news/pauline-m-daurora/.

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Healthy, local food is important. The Farmers Markets will open next week at Davis Square (www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis) on Wednesday, May 20 and at Union Square (www.unionsquaremain.org/2020-season) on Saturday, May 23. But this year they will be different. Both markets will encourage only one person per household to do the shopping, incorporate social distancing guidelines and allow a limited amount of shoppers in the space. Please sign up for a shopping spot in advance at the market websites. SNAP and HIP benefits are accessible for shoppers in both markets. No gathering or socializing is allowed in the markets. See you there and remember that we are in this together … from a responsible 6 ft. distance, of course.

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Attention all essential workers! True Grounds, 717 Broadway, is offering a free drink for two weeks for essential workers. Starting May 11 (only from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.) any essential worker will get a free drink. They will do this on the honor system and won’t ask for proof of employer. So please don’t abuse the heartfelt generosity of their sponsor, Ella Samson, who is piloting this program. This offer will run May 11 – May 24. One drink per customer per day (excludes bottled drinks). Also, if you’re a non-essential worker or other local restaurant and want to support this program, please reach out to Ella Samson and let her know.

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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.

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Support local business and enjoy the best of Somerville’s culinary scene by ordering takeout or delivery during this difficult time. Check out https://www.somervilledelivers.com for a list of restaurants accepting orders now. Don’t see your restaurant listed? Add it here: Somervillema.gov/covidbizhelp.

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The Ryan Harrington Foundation is honored to be hosting their 5th Annual Just One Run in Memory of Neil Naugler. Please join them on Sunday May 31, at 10:00 a.m. for the Just One Run with a free Kids Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. The Ryan Harrington Foundation is a group dedicated to helping people with the disease and struggle of addiction while raising awareness and funding. The Foundation maintains the simple message: If we can help “JUST ONE” individual find and maintain their recovery, we have succeeded. This 5k race will start and end at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House in Somerville, looping around the Mystic River on Rt. 16 to Medford, through the Mystic River Reservation, and back over the Wellington Bridge to the finish. Shirts are guaranteed to the first 200 registered and to all kids registered prior to race day, 12 years of age and under. The event includes a free half mile Kid’s Fun Run, post-race refreshments, music and family activities. Informational stations provided by local resources. Online registration fees for the 5K race are $30 for participants ages 13 (plus processing fees). Participants for age 12 and under are $15. Adult registration fees increase to $35 on race day. Kids 12 and under are welcome to come and run at no cost, but please register your child. For more information about the Ryan Harrington Foundation and its mission, please visit http://www.ryanharringtonfoundation.org/the-foundation/.

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May is Mental Health Month and, especially during a public health crisis, it’s important to remember to take care of your mental health. Here are some tips from the CDC on coping with the stress and uncertainty around COVID-19: Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting; Take care of your body; Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate; Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals; Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep; Avoid alcohol and drugs; Make time to unwind.; Try to do some other activities you enjoy; Connect with others; Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Where to find help or someone to talk to: Hotlines and virtual counseling services are also available for adults and youth. We’ve compiled links to resources on the city website, or call the 311 COVID-19 Community Support Team at 3-1-1 or 617-666-3311 for information. Visit somervillema.gov/CoronaVirusHelp and click the “Mental Health & Wellbeing” tab. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, or is contemplating suicide or harming others, call 911 immediately. If you or someone in your family is experiencing a mental health crisis, the Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) is available 24/7 at 1-800-981-4357.

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The Somerville Public Schools will conduct a public hearing to determine participation in the School Choice Program for the 2020-21 school year, Wednesday, May 27, 6:45 p.m. GoTo Webinar Online Meeting Platform. Please use the following web address to join the hearing: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1249113785733534224. The Public is cordially invited to attend.